A man, reportedly a local out for his usual morning swim, has been attacked by a shark in South Australia. The victim is being described as an avid beachgoer in his 40s, and following the attack, he was taken to the hospital in critical condition, with the majority of his injuries to his thigh.
“He was helped from the water and treated at the scene by paramedics before he was taken to hospital in a serious condition,” authorities said. No reports, yet, as to the type or size of shark involved. However, authorities have closed the beach at the popular swimming spot of Port Noarlunga, where the attack happened. And this comes amidst a spate of shark attacks in the region.
According to reports, there have been four fatal attacks in South Australia in the last two years.
Earlier this year, 28-year-old Lance Appleby was surfing Granites Beach on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, when he was attacked by a great white shark. After an extensive search, his body was never found. Friends remembered Appleby as, “forever young, forever surfing, forever loved.”
Related: Search for Missing Surfer: “Lance’s Body’s Inside the Shark”
And before that, 15-year-old rising star Khai Cowley was attacked and killed while surfing Ethel Beach in South Australia. He, too, was heavily mourned following the tragedy. “We are devastated to learn that a young, talented and dearly loved member of our surfing community was the surfer involved in the attack at Ethel Beach,” read a statement released from Surfing South Australia.
Some attribute the rise in shark activity in South Australia to the protection of great whites established in 1999. However, certain scientists differ in opinion. “The results from previous analyses basically said that the population was stable,” shark scientist Russ Bradford said in 2024. “There was no increase or decrease, really.”
Whatever the case, tragic for the region. And just in time for the World Surf League to head nearby to Western Australia for the Margaret River Pro, kicking off May 17-27. Stay tuned.
Related: Aussies Rescue 10Ft Great White Shark with Bare Hands (Video)